Hi, I'm Mark from Coffee Break Languages. The whole team here loves the music of ABBA
and we're really, really excited about the launch of the new Mamma Mia movie, which comes
out today. Now, we were so excited about it in fact,
that we decided to make our own parody version of Mamma Mia, telling the story of a language
learner, and I'm sure as Coffee Break listeners and viewers, you're very familiar with many
aspects of this story. We hope you have a laugh, that you sing along,
and that you enjoy our Mamma Mia Parody: the story of a language learner.
[Musical introduction]
I have a dream, a song to share,
a wish to travel, go anywhere.
And my destination will be more worthwhile
if I can make friends, greet locals with a smile.
But if I learn a language, my journey will be even more sublime.
Yes, if I learn a language, I know that I will have a better time.
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream.
I was sick and tired of everything, so I went to the bookshop in Glasgow.
I had to choose a language to learn - so much choice, oh what a fiasco!
Shelves of books and courses, all look so inviting.
Suddenly I feel bemused and it's gonna be impossible,
I'm totally confused!
Should I learn French or Spanish? What about Italian?
Russian or Chinese?
Greek or Japanese?
Perhaps I should learn Portuguese!
Swedish, Dutch, or Polish, or Korean...
I can't decide at all.
No way to make the call...
I know, I'll just learn them all!
[Piano introduction]
I don't wanna talk,
too scared I'll make an error.
I don't know what to say.
They may just walk away.
I've learned all my verbs ...
just don't know when to use them.
No self-confidence!
Can't pick the right tense!
The language-learner's fear: not making yourself clear.
So proud I would be of a simple victory!
I learn a phrase by heart,
pronouncing every letter.
I say it my mind,
hoping I will find
the guts to say it right,
with perfect intonation,
but when the moment comes along
the words come out all wrong!
And even though I've tried with laughter they have cried!
Spectators looking on leave me quite forlorn!
The language-learner's dream: linguistically supreme!
Will this one day be me? Can this ever be?
The language-learner's dream...
[Piano introduction]
You won't believe what happened just the other night!
I tried to speak the language, thought I'd said it right,
but they replied at breakneck speed!
I wish I understood.
I knew not what to say,
I simply felt so rude!
Though I may listen, there's no recognition, S.O.S.
I start pretending that I'm comprehending, S.O.S.
There's no way (there's no way) I can think of the next thing to say.
So I pray (so I pray), but there must be a much better way.
[Guitar introduction]
Chiquitito, tell me what's wrong!
I have never seen such sorrow!
I can't cope, and the exam is tomorrow!
How I hate to see you like this.
Don't be scared, I know you can do it!
All you've learned ...
I am certain you'll get through it.
Chiquitito, don't be concerned.
It's about communication.
Don't think about mistakes,
and avoid all hesitation.
If you get a gender wrong
doesn't matter - they'll understand you.
Don't think about it twice,
not a worry, I command you!
Chiquitito, you and I know
how the worries come and they go
but you'll get there somehow.
You have not a thing to fear!
Take a breath, my dear -
you may even have some fun now!
Chiquitito, don't you cry.
When you're flying high in the sky and talking the language
you'll be feeling quite superb
conquering those verbs,
do your best, my Chiquitito.
I won't think twice, thanks for all the advice!
Do you best, my Chiquitito.
[Synth introduction]
If you've got no time, we're the first in line.
There's a lot at stake - take a coffee break!
Try a podcast episode, you'll be speaking fast
Understanding complex words, and you'll have a blast!
If you're all alone, you can learn on your phone
take an online course, you'll have no remorse!
Gotta do your very best, and it ain't no lie.
Put yourself to the test, and you'll reach the sky.
Don't you be concerned...
(that's all I ask of you, honey)
Many ways to learn!
You can go walking, you can go running,
even when it's game time...
Sitting in the metro,
maybe just driving,
learning at the same time.
With technology there's no need to despair,
you can just learn anywhere,
it's magic!
You'll not be left behind, but don't you waste your time,
gotta spend it well
and you'll feel just swell!
[Piano Introduction]
[Guitar riff]
I've been learning now since I don't know when
So I've made up my mind, can no longer pretend!
Look at me now - ready for anything!
Now I know how to work out genders for every noun,
no longer feeling like a clown.
Just one thought
and I know what to say!
One more thought
and all me fears go away, woah...
Mamma Mia It's falling into place
My, my, I can't quite believe it!
Mamma Mia
no longer a disgrace My, my, I really can achieve it!
It's time for a celebration, sorted my conjugation!
Why, why, did I ever worry so?
Mamma Mia,
now I really know My, my, I'm ready to go solo!
[Musical outro]
Modal verbs, Chinese tones
knowing the right German case...
Subjunctives, conditionals all this you'll embrace.
Words that don't have a translation
Irregular conjugation...
when a language is quirky, lingo geeks rejoice!
Then there's the passive voice!
The preceding direct object rule
sounds kinda crazy but it's so cool!
Accusative or dative?
Or maybe genitive?
Grammar is quite bizarre!
That's when you know you are...
Another Polyglot at any language you'll take a shot.
A Polyglot and you won't give a second thought
to modal verbs, Chinese tones,
knowing the right German case.
Subjunctives
conditionals, all this you'll embrace!
[Musical outro]
[Piano introduction]
I'm nothing special, I'm really quite normal at best.
I've just worked quite hard, and each day I've gradually progressed.
Linguistically gifted? There's no way that's me!
But as I've learned more it's been easy to see
that the words all sink in,
then the pleasure it comes from within.
So I say thank you for the language,
the words I'm using,
though they sometimes are confusing.
I can't live without it! I ask in all honesty:
what would life be without a tricky irregular verb?
So I say thank you for the language,
for giving it to me.
There's way too much info to share, and time won't allow.
But look up Steve Kaufmann, Alex Rawlings and Lindsay Dow,
Benny Lewis the Irish Polyglot, not to mention the one and only Richard Simcott!
There are so many more, so on YouTube feel free to explore!
So I say thank you for the language,
the words I'm using, though they sometimes are confusing.
I can't live without it! I ask in all honesty:
what would life be without a cool idiomatic phrase?
So I say thank you for the language,
for giving it to me.
Learning a language has been the best thing I have done.
Now I can understand the world around me,
laugh and sing, celebrate with everyone!
Thank you for the language, so every nation
can join in the conversation. I can't live without it!
I ask in all honesty: what would life be
not understanding each other at all? So I say
thank you for the language, for giving it to me.
So I say thank you for the language,
for giving it to me.